For a franchise as long-lasting and perenially popular as the anime action-caper Lupin III, it might come as a surprise how long it’s been since the series’ last traditionally animated full-length theatrical film. The series received its first such film in 1978, with the psychedelic Lupin the Third: The Secret of Mamo. A string of major theatrical outings followed, including 1979’s stone-cold classic Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, directed by Miyazaki Hayao. Four more such films were produced thereafter, occasionally with as much as half a decade between releases, ending with 1996’s Lupin III: Dead or Alive. Since then, various short films, crossovers, and CG/live-action Lupin movies have made their way to theaters – but no mainline, full-length 2D anime films. That is, until now.
On November 28th, 2024, the official Lupin III Twitter account announced a new full-length 2D Lupin film, tentatively titled LUPIN THE IIIRD THE MOVIE. The post notes the film’s status as the first Lupin theatrical movie of its type in nearly 30 years. The release date remains ambiguous, with the appended teaser trailer listing it as “coming soon” in 2025.
The film’s current tagline is “You Still Don’t Know the Real Lupin III.” (Perhaps a reference to gentleman thief Lupin III’s ambiguous role as hero or neerdowell, depending on the production.) The post also notes that “The Legegendary great thief, Lupin III, shall make a grand return to the screen!”
Lupin III Regular Koike Takeshi Returns as Director
Helming this new film will be anime auteur and recent series mainstay Koike Takeshi. Outside of Lupin, Koike is best known for the frenetic, propulsive cult classic anime film Redline. That 2009 film, centered around a deadly race in space, put Koike’s name on the map. His bold, thick-lined character designs recall those of his mentor Kawajiri Yoshiaki (Ninja Scroll). Since his involvement in setting the style for 2012’s spinoff series Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, Koike has remained a major creative voice for the franchise.
Many fans speculate that the new film movie may focus on Lupin’s eternal nemesis, Inspector Zenigata. Koike has previously helmed short films focusing on the series’ other main cast: 2014’s Lupin III: Jigen’s Gravestone, 2017’s Lupin III: Goemon’s Blood Spray, and 2019 Lupin III: Fujiko’s Lie. If this new movie is centered around Zenigata’s perspective, it would finish off the set of the series’ secondary characters.
Meanwhile, the movie’s tagline seems to imply a greater focus on the series’ central character. The LUPIN THE IIIRD THE MOVIE teaser also features numerous clips from Koike’s previous films. The implication is a continuation – or even conclusion – of the so-called “Koikeverse.” Running parallel to the various mainline Lupin TV series airing since 2015, Koike’s corner of the franchise is grittier, featuring darker violent and adult themes. With a franchise as vast and long-lasting as Lupin – which started in manga form in the 1960s – it’ll be interesting to see what unknown side of Lupin Koike introduces us to with this new film.
A Fresh Chapter for a New Generation of Voice Actors
LUPIN THE IIIRD THE MOVIE will also be the first full-length 2D outing for the series’ new roster of Japanese voice actors. The voice cast of Lupin had remained largely the same since Lupin III Part II in the late 1970s. In 2011, however, many of the classic VAs retired from their roles, with Kobayashi Kiyoshi as marksman Jigen being the only exception; he finally retired in 2021. With classic femme fatal Fujiko voice actress Masuyama Eiko’s passing earlier this year, the golden era VAs are now all gone.
This will be the first theatrical outing consisting entirely of the new-generation cast. Prolific anime and game VA Ohstuka Akio replaced Kobayashi as Jigen in 2021; the rest of the cast will consist of:
- Kurita Kaniichi as master thief Lupin III
- Namikawa Daisuke as swordsman Goemon Ishikawa
- Sawashiro Miyuki as femme fatal Mine Fujiko
- Yamadera Koichi as Inspector Zenigata
So, the film may serve as an end-point to the Koike era, and as a new chapter for the modern cast. Either way, it should be an interesting outing. We’ll continue to have updates regarding the film here as new information comes to light. And once the film premiers in Japan, watch this space for an early review!
After all, you can never have enough Lupin III in your life.
